This week we enjoyed welcoming each and every one of our middle academy boarders back. It was a lively and loud reunion for many of the boys on the boulevard as they enjoyed exchanging stories about the break, learning online, haircuts and adventures from home. As I travelled around the grounds during the week, it was enriching to hear about how each and every one of our boarders experienced not only their learning online, but what they appreciated in family, friends and new experiences. The perspective which our boarding community add to the year cannot be underestimated. The students truly find a unique balance to sit between their ‘home-world’ and the Knox community and engage in both. Seeing the boys back around the playground and in our classes reminds me of the gratitude we must place in having them back, whilst thinking about their families afar who may be experiencing difficulties living on the land in drought or experiencing issues due to the pandemic.

Week 6 also brings an excitement back to winter sport. The boys have been looking forward to a longer training session to test out their skills and fitness in their respective sports.

The sportsmanship, positivity and spirit that have been on display this week has been most impressive, whether it be on the field or the courts.

The boys have been asked to reflect more directly on their learning this week. As staff begin to engage with parents in conversations about the boys' progress and learning across their subjects, we are encouraging the boys to set goals, identify their key disposition strengths and prepare to continue to revise for their upcoming assessments.

Enjoy the long weekend. 

Margie Raymond

Students should all have their Student ID card - if they've been misplaced, please come and see me where a new card can be printed. It makes the Health Screen process a lot smoother when the boys have their Student ID card with them.

The Uniform Shop will be open Monday-Friday, 12.30pm-5pm during Terms 2 and 3. Please note on Monday 8 June, the Uniform Shop will be closed due to the Public Holiday.

Announcement: Musical audition details for the 2020 Knox Musical 'Beauty and the Beast' will be presented via a Google doc next Tuesday 9 June. 

Please click here to view an important letter from the Headmaster explaining the NCCD data collection.

Thank you to those who have returned their Meningococcal ACWY vaccination card. I still have many cards outstanding. Please sign, complete and return to me as soon as possible.

Please see the Week 7 Recharge canteen menu located in the AoGC under Community Notices section of this newsletter. Note that no cash will be accepted at Recharge so please ensure your Student ID cards are available and have been recently topped via the Flexischools site. An EFTPOS card can be used as well.

Enjoy special family time this long weekend.

Rebecca Smith
 

Assessment tasks in the coming weeks 

Please find the upcoming assessment tasks for Weeks 7 and 8 below for your convenience. Please refer to the assessment schedule and specific task notifications for more details.

Week 7: 8-12 June

Science – Task 2
• The research assessment task will take place in regularly scheduled science lessons either online or face-to-face on Tuesday 9 June.
• The syllabus outcomes assessed in this weighted task have changed; please refer to the assessment notifications in Week 5 for specific outcomes and the date for the task.

Mathematics – Task 2
• This task has been scheduled for Wednesday 10 June.
• The task has been modified into a multiple choice assessment task.
• Please refer to the assessment notification for specific details.

History (Elective) – Task 1
• Currently there are no changes to this assessment task.
• Please refer to the assessment notification for specific details.

Agriculture – Task 2
• This task has an adjusted due date of Thursday 11 June.
• The task will be administered online or face-to-face, where appropriate.

Visual Arts – Task 2
• The task is due Friday 12 June
• The task has been modified to allow for an online submission.

Week 8: 15-19 June

English – Task 2
• A hand in component is due on Thursday 18 June alongside the written component.
• The written component will administered as an in-class task.
• Please refer to the assessment notifications for specific details.
• Students overseas or unable to attend school must check their email for specific details from Mrs Gupta regarding this task.

Commerce – Task 2
• This task has been rescheduled for Tuesday 16 June.
• No other changes to this assessment task.

Industrial Technology – Task 2
• The task is due Thursday 18 June.
• The syllabus outcomes assessed in this weighted task have changed; please refer to the assessment notification for specific outcomes.

Jake Plaskett

We have been very pleased with the boys who have been proactive in their approach to determining their Year 11 subjects for 2021. This will ensure they are making informed decisions and reduces the inconvenience of changing subjects and catching up content in new ones in early Term 1. The Q&A Zoom sessions have been well received in many subjects and recordings can be found on the Year 10 portal. We encourage the boys to use the remaining weeks prior to the online selection to do their research, speak to the Years 11 and 12 boys they know, speak to their teachers and visit the NESA website for subject information.

Stage 3 will commence on Tuesday 9 June. Throughout Weeks 7 and 8, each department will deliver detail and insight about the courses they offer. The program is below and Zoom links will be provided via the Year 10 portal. An email will be sent each day over this period highlighting which departments are presenting along with the Zoom Links.

If you or your son has any further questions please do not hesitate to contact via email the Heads of Department, Mrs Gomez (Director of Career Education & Development) or us (Mr Weeding, Head of Academy & Mr Greg Nunan, Director of Studies Stage 6).

Important dates:
• Online selection of subjects – Monday 27 July (Term 3 Week 2)
• Preference Receipt – This needs a parent signature and returned to Ms Smith by Friday 31 July.
• The website to select subjects will be opened later this term. The preference receipt will be generated when subjects are selected on this website

Change of Preferences
• Unlimited until 27 July then changes need to fit within the subject lines created

Mr Weeding and Mr Nunan (WSA Stage 6 team)

In the time since returning to the campus it has been encouraging to see so many students embracing their time at School. There have been a number of changes put in place and it is pleasing to see the students positively responding to these changes.

With increased numbers of students being dropped off and picked up at school and in the streets surrounding the Senior School campus, there has been increased delays for students getting to and from school. Knox is working closely with Roads and Maritime NSW (RMS), NSW Transport Management Centre (TMC), NSW Police and Ku-ring-gai Council to minimise delays. We have been advised by the TMC that their inspectors with the assistance of NSW Police will be making regular patrols during these times to ensure the free flow of traffic.

The safety of our students, staff and local community are our key priority. It is essential all drivers follow the road rules and parking restrictions so we have  the safest possible environment for our boys, staff and community members. We request drivers entering Woodville Avenue:

• Obey the 40km/h speed limits
• Utilise the recently extended drop off/pick up zones whenever available (the bus zone extending to the Pacific Highway has temporarily been designated 'drop and go')
• Stop in a safe area for students to get out of vehicles
• Do not complete a u-turn over the double lines outside the school gate
• Park legally when dropping off or pick up students

Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the School. We rely on our community for feedback and it is always welcomed and appreciated.

Dan Parker

Please download the PDF document here for all the information for students to continue to be involved in these important and beneficial programs.

For any questions or concerns regarding the co-curricular program offered in Term 2, please feel free to contact me via email.

Chuck Ardron

Monday 8 June

Queen's Birthday - Public holiday

Wednesday 17 June 

Meningococcal ACWY Vaccination

Friday 26 June

Term 2 concludes

Monday 20 July

Term 3 commences

Please find below the menu for the Canteen for Week 7. 

After to the success of last Saturday’s fun, fitness, speed session on Gillespie Fields, we will continue this weekend and right up until the end of Term 2. All boys are encouraged to come and enjoy a workout under the guidance of our Athletic coaches. This is open to every boy in the School – not just those looking to make CAS Track & Field selection.

The session will be run under strict COVID-19 guidelines and parents are encouraged to drop boys off at 8am with pick up at 9.30am.

Martin Haywood

2020 Applications
We would like to invite students who have competed at the state/national level to apply to join the PEAK program for the 2020 intake. We understand that COVID-19 may have impacted some state/national championships, so PEAK eligibility criteria has been extended to include the last 12 months, or the last state/national championship event that was run.

What is PEAK?
PEAK is in its second year of operation and is designed to support high-performing student-athletes who aspire to have a career in elite sport. We aim to develop healthy, resilient and capable students by supporting the holistic well being of each individual, whilst assisting them to achieve their academic and sporting potential.

The PEAK program includes:
• One on one mentoring with Knox high performance coaches, including the development of an Individual Performance Plan (IPP)
• Keynote speakers focusing on the Knox Total Fitness pillars, including:

• Academic Fitness – covering themes such as time management, goal-setting and habits for academic success
• Physical Fitness – covering effective nutritional practices for athletes, sleep for recovery and effective rehab/prehab
• Spiritual Fitness (Personal Development) – covering communication, mental preparation and leadership
• Social/Emotional Fitness – covering resilience, performing under pressure and respect and responsibility

• Small group workshops to further enhance each student-athlete’s skills and learning capabilities

Please visit the Knox website for more information about the PEAK program.

To apply, please complete the application form. Applications close Friday 26 June (last day of Term 2). Successful applicants will be notified before school resumes for Term 3. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.

Kieran Donohue

ATLAS HUMANOID TEAM LIVE Q&A

What: The Atlas Humanoid Team at Boston Dynamics have agreed to a live Question and Answer (Q&A) video chat with 20 students about their work. Selection of students is based on three criteria; a question you would ask the Atlas Humanoid team about their work, your involvement in co-curricular and further interests and subject involvement.

You will need to register here to be part of this unique opportunity.

When: Wednesday 24 June at 7.30am

Where: WSA Lecture Theatre

Contact: Melinda Valent

Click here for further information on Boston Dynamics.

Would you believe…

Knox Flix 2020 registrations are now open!

This year we have two versions of one theme, and two versions of one competition.

The theme is either

'I Believe!' or 'Would you believe…'

Tell us a tall tale, or a deep truth.

Similarly this year for the first time you have the option of submitting a narrated story board, or a film.

All film entries will need to be accompanied with an outline of how you worked within the isolation rules as they existed at various times of filming.

Please read the attached information and register here. A hype reel for Knox Flix can be viewed here.

A warm welcome back to our boarders.

Optimal Parenting Webinar – Parent Q&A
Thank you for tuning into the Knox Wellbeing Team Optimal Parenting recent webinar, we hope you found this helpful. Thank you also for the overwhelming response to our Q&A section – our team is mindful that we did not have the opportunity to answer all questions on the night and have provided a written response to the key questions/themes in the PDF here.

Please note that the information is general in nature; for specific responses tailored to your particular child and/or family’s situation, please contact Knox Wellbeing Reception to arrange an appointment with your school psychologist via email.